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The U.S. Department of Homeland Security did not immediately remove a social media post involving former Eagles standout Brian Dawkins despite a request by the NFL for it to do so, and a department spokesperson told Front Office Sports on Monday that it “will use every Weapon at our disposal … to keep Americans safe.”
The NFL confirmed its request to FOS.
The Eagles and NFL did not consent to the footage being used, according to a source familiar with the matter. The NFL oversees all rights and use of its game footage, which is why the league asked for the video to be taken down, that source added.
James Percival, the general counsel for DHS, tweeted an image of Bugs Bunny saying “No” over a post about the NFL’s request to remove the posts.
“DHS is playing lockdown defense at the border,” a DHS spokesperson wrote in an email to FOS. “We will use every Weapon at our disposal, from A to X, to keep Americans safe.”
“Weapon X” was Dawkins’s nickname in the NFL.
In a video posted Monday afternoon, Dawkins said: “Let’s be clear. I didn’t give permission for my name, image, and likeness to be used by anybody. … Take a deep breath.”
The DHS post on Twitter contains video of tackles, celebrations, and other demonstrations by Dawkins, the former Eagles safety who was known for his aggressive, hard-hitting style of play. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018.
The post says, “Our time has come.” It is in response to a headline that reads: “JUST IN; Huge migrant caravan headed towards the US southern border.”
Neither post featuring Dawkins had been removed as of Monday afternoon.
A DHS spokesperson wrote in an email Monday to FOS: “The United States Border Patrol is actively tracking a migrant caravan which departed San Pedro Sula, Honduras on September 20, 2026. USBP is closely engaged with its international partners to monitor their movement and any additional developments. USBP reminds migrants that under the leadership of President Trump and Homeland Secretary [Markwayne] Mullin, the border has remained closed and secured for the last 16 months. Migrants considering making the dangerous journey to our country should also be aware that the days of ‘catch and release’ are over, and [Joe] Biden’s disastrous open border policy has been SEALED SHUT. Anyone attempting to illegally enter the United States will be apprehended, prosecuted, and removed from the country.”
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy confirmed to FOS that the league requested that DHS take down the post.
The NFL’s request was first reported by ESPN.
The Washington Post reported in March that former players were critical of a social media video montage by the Trump Administration that juxtaposed on-field football collisions with military attacks in Iran.
Dawkins could not be reached by FOS for further comment.
— Dennis Young contributed reporting.
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